Research Data Specialist II

Are you a research and data analyst ready to bring your quantitative and analytical skills to work with the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, and ready to do it on a hybrid schedule with real state benefits behind you?

As a Research Data Specialist II with the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, you'll step into a research and data analysis role s position is built for an experienced data professional who understands quantitative analysis, database work, and evidence-based reporting at a mid-to-senior technical level, and who's ready to bring that expertise to public safety data work at the state level.

This role is ideal for a specialist analyst who thrives on technical depth and data-driven work. You'll conduct research and data analysis, work with fire and public safety datasets, produce analytical reports and technical documentation, support evidence-based decision-making across OSFM programs, coordinate with data partners at OES, US Fire Administration, and other agencies, and contribute to the broader data infrastructure that supports OSFM's mission.

Strong technical foundation, clean data instincts, and the ability to translate quantitative findings into actionable information for program partners are central to the work.

This position is located in Sacramento, California, and is a 12-month limited-term senior data specialist role with hybrid telework. Hybrid is a legitimate quality-of-life advantage for data professionals in the Sacramento region, and the limited-term structure offers the chance to build a specialty data portfolio at a state agency actively expanding its data and analytical capacity.

This isn't just a data analysis job. Public safety data work at the state level directly informs how California understands fire, life safety, and prevention, and this is a chance to bring your quantitative skills into work that shapes evidence-based decisions at one of the largest public safety agencies in the country.

• 4 days in office, 1 day remote
• State benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement
• 12-month limited-term senior data specialist role with strong pathways into further state opportunities
• Senior individual contributor track with real technical depth, not people management
• Direct exposure to fire and public safety data work at the state agency level
• Portfolio-building at the intersection of research, data analysis, and public safety mission
• Mission driven team culture focused on service, readiness, and evidence-based public sector work

Sacramento County offers a strong mix of urban convenience, government employment density, and proximity to some of California's best outdoor escapes. As the state capital, Sacramento is the operational hub for much of California's public sector work, including the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

With a lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California, easy access to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, the Northern California coast, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, Sacramento County is a strong fit for data and research professionals who want substantive specialty work and a quality of life that isn't dominated by commute time.